Trump Plan Would Require Tourists to Submit Five Years of Social Media History to Enter U.S.
The Trump administration is moving forward with a proposal that would force visitors from dozens of countries that enjoy visa-free travel to the United States to provide much more personal information before entering the country. The Department of Homeland Security outlined the plan this week in a regulatory notice, saying the changes are meant to strengthen security and tighten screening procedures for foreign travelers.
The new rules would affect citizens of 42 nations that participate in the visa waiver program. These include many European countries, such as the United Kingdom, Germany, and France, as well as key U.S. allies like Israel, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand. Travelers from these nations can typically enter the United States for up to 90 days for business or tourism without going through the lengthy visa process at an embassy or consulate.
Even under current rules, visa waiver travelers must complete an online application through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization, or ESTA, before arriving in the United States. The system screens applicants to confirm they meet the requirements for visa-free entry and that they do not pose security risks.
Under the new proposal, Customs and Border Protection seeks to overhaul ESTA by turning it into a mobile-only application and by requiring much more detailed personal information. According to the notice, travelers would be asked to provide the social media accounts they have used over the past five years, email addresses from the last decade, and the contact information and residences of immediate family members. The submission of social media history from the last five years would be mandatory.
Officials say these steps are intended to enforce an executive order President Trump issued earlier this year. The stated goal of the order is to prevent individuals who may present national security or public safety risks from entering the country. The agency has argued that expanded screening is necessary to detect potential threats that might otherwise be missed.
The proposal still needs approval from the White House budget office before it can move forward. If enacted, it would amount to one of the most sweeping expansions of vetting requirements for travelers from countries that have long benefited from streamlined access to the United States.
Critics warn the changes could discourage tourism and complicate travel from friendly nations, especially with the U.S. set to help host the 2026 FIFA World Cup with Canada and Mexico. Travel industry groups have raised concerns that added scrutiny and mandatory disclosure of social media accounts could deter people from visiting.
The proposal also comes as part of a broader effort by the Trump administration over the past year to increase screening across the U.S. immigration system. Many of those changes have targeted people already within the country who are applying for various legal statuses, such as asylum, permanent residency, or citizenship.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has directed officers to review the social media history of several immigrant categories, including activities considered “anti-American.” It has also instructed adjudicators to examine applicants’ “good moral character” more aggressively when evaluating citizenship applications.
If the ESTA overhaul is approved, millions of travelers could soon face far more probing questions before they are allowed to board flights to the United States. Supporters say the extra scrutiny enhances safety, while opponents argue it represents yet another barrier that could damage the country’s reputation as a welcoming destination.
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